Africhange, a UK-licensed cross-border fintech platform, has partnered with Griffin, a regulated UK bank that works with fintech companies, to roll out GBP bank accounts and savings accounts for users in the United Kingdom. The launch is positioned as a direct response to the banking barriers faced by newly arrived immigrants, who often struggle to open traditional current accounts with high street banks. Africhange is framing the move as an evolution from pure remittances into full financial services for people building new lives in the UK.
The Financial Access Gap in the UK
Opening a standard UK bank account is still a slow, paperwork-heavy process for many recent arrivals, because most banks demand multiple forms of proof of address such as a utility bill, council tax bill, or UK driving license. Immigrants who are staying in temporary housing, employer-arranged accommodation, or shared rentals often cannot provide these documents in the first weeks or even months after arrival. Without access to an account, they face a catch-22 where they cannot get paid, sign a phone contract, or pay bills, which in turn delays the same documentation the banks are asking them to produce.
How the Africhange GBP Account Works
The new Africhange GBP Account, powered by Griffin, is not a lightweight virtual wallet but a dedicated bank account with a unique Sort Code and Account Number assigned to each user. Through the Africhange app, users can receive payments directly, hold GBP balances, and move money seamlessly within the platform, instead of relying on fragmented workarounds. Customers will also gain access to savings products that combine Griffin’s regulatory oversight with Africhange’s focus on speed, usability, and transparency.
Customer Experience and Support
Africhange says users will get around-the-clock human support, with service channels open on chat, email, and phone. The company is pitching that combination of live support and full account functionality as a credibility upgrade, arguing that it delivers the control of a traditional bank with the flexibility of a fintech. For individuals arriving in the UK and immediately needing to plug into the economy, the company is presenting this offering as a way to start operating financially on day one instead of waiting for a bank to clear them.
Voices from Both Companies
David Ajala, CEO of Africhange, said the decision to build UK accounts was driven by personal experience as a migrant founder and by the reality that sending money home is only one part of financial stability. He said Africhange wants to become a real financial partner for its users, giving them a trusted place to hold their balances, manage local finances, and build a footprint in the UK, not just a remittance channel. David Jarvis, CEO of Griffin, said too many immigrants face unnecessary friction in accessing even basic banking, and described the partnership as a way to remove avoidable obstacles to working and living in the country.
A Turning Point for Cross-Border Banking
Michael Price, Chief Operating Officer of Africhange UK, called the partnership a turning point for the company’s mission and said it sets a new standard for inclusive, cross-border banking. He argued that the structure gives users control, regulatory trust, and day-to-day functionality in a new country, rather than forcing them to piece together ad hoc financial workarounds. He added that Africhange sees this not as a one-off product launch, but as the foundation for more features designed specifically for globally mobile users.
Expansion Strategy and Market Position
Africhange entered the UK market in July 2024 by enabling UK-based users to send money to Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya with real-time rates and no hidden fees. The company holds licenses in Canada and operates across multiple corridors, supporting transfers between Canada, Nigeria, Australia, and the UK into countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, India, and others. It currently supports a wide range of currencies including USD, CAD, CNY, NGN, KES, GHS, INR, AUD, and GBP, signaling a push to become an infrastructure layer for cross-border money movement rather than just a niche remittance app.
With Griffin as its banking partner, Africhange is positioning itself as an on-ramp to the UK financial system for immigrants who are often locked out of mainstream banking at precisely the moment they need it most. By issuing unique Sort Codes and Account Numbers, enabling GBP balances and savings, and backing that with 24/7 support, the company is aiming to close a structural access gap rather than simply lower fees on transfers. Africhange says UK users can now sign up through its app, manage their local money, and start building financial presence in a market that has historically told them to wait.